Michaels Dream Tree Challenge Reveal

Thank you, Michaels, for the opportunity to participate in the Dream Tree Challenge! It was a fun-filled whirlwind week planning, dreaming, shopping and creating my dream tree. See all the Dream Tree Challenge entries on Michaels Facebook page or Pinterest!

There were lots of shiny things I love.

The ornaments came in many sizes, shapes, textures, and colors.

I found ornaments in all my favorite colors.

Most of the ornaments are shatter-proof plastic despite their delicate and fragile looking beauty, which means they will grace my tree year after year.

The wired-ribbon curls and drapes in pretty lines and its colors and patterns coordinate with the ornaments.

I found lots of jewels and beaded garlands to fill my treasure box inspired tree “skirt.”

Glittered feathers, leaves, and ribbon spires along with this pretty, shiny bird make up my dream tree topper.

The daylight highlights many details of my dream tree.

By golden twinkle-light, my dream tree looks almost magical. What will Michaels Stores inspire you to create?

See all the Dream Tree Challenge entries on Michaels Facebook page or Pinterest!

Disclosure: Michaels Stores sent me this fabulous pre-lit tree along with a $500 in-store gift card to participate in the challenge. The opinions expressed in my posts about the Dream Tree Challenge are entirely my own.

This week’s Book Review Wednesday pick is 3D Beaded Animal Crafts for Kids, and I’ll admit this one is another of those books that makes me pause for a moment and ask, “Does this belong in Jewelry Making, Kids Crafts, or somewhere in between?”

Technically, it is not jewelry in the traditional necklace-and-earrings sense, but it is very much a beading book, and beading skills are such a useful doorway into jewelry making. For kids especially, learning how to thread beads, follow patterns, work with wire, and build little 3D shapes is a brilliant way to develop patience, fine motor skills, and confidence with craft materials.

The cover promises 3D beaded animal crafts for kids, with a focus on cute seed bead animals made with wire. The little fox on the cover is exactly the sort of project that catches attention — bright, cheerful, and very giftable. I can see this being a fun book for crafty kids, tweens, grandparents crafting with children, or even adults who secretly enjoy tiny beaded animals but pretend they are “helping the kids.”

What I like about this type of project is that it gives children a finished piece they can actually be proud of. These are not throwaway crafts. A beaded animal can become a bag charm, keychain, desk buddy, zipper pull, ornament, or little handmade gift. And if you have a child who loves collecting small things, well, prepare yourself — you may soon have an entire zoo made from seed beads.

There is also a nice connection here for beginner jewelry makers. Working with beads and wire in a simple 3D form helps build the same kind of careful hand skills used in beaded jewelry, wire wrapping, charms, and small accessories. So while I would be tempted to cross-post this over on our Kids Crafts section, I still think it earns its place here for anyone wanting beginner-friendly beading projects.

This book would suit kids who already enjoy detailed crafts, families looking for screen-free creative projects, or makers who want small bead projects that are playful rather than overly serious. I would suggest adult help for younger children, especially because seed beads and wire can be fiddly, and nobody needs a craft session ending with beads in the carpet forever. Although, let’s be honest, that may happen anyway.

My Shellie-style take? 3D Beaded Animal Crafts for Kids looks like a fun, colourful and practical beading book for young makers who like cute projects with a real finished result. It is crafty, giftable, a little bit nostalgic, and a lovely stepping stone into more detailed beadwork and jewelry making later on.

You can find the book here: 3D Beaded Animal Crafts for Kids.

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